Feedback On Airline Restrictions For Antlers In Checked Baggage

Published: March - 2010

Our report last month (see pages 10-11) on United Airlines' new restrictions on flying with antlers in checked baggage has generated some feedback that we thought worth sharing. Subscriber Dean Hatten wrote (in part), "I just read the February Hunting Report article about airlines restricting the size and weight of checked horns/antlers. Up front I will tell you I am no fan of the airlines. I never fly commercially if I can avoid it. If I can't take my own plane, I really question how badly I need to go on the trip. The airlines are rude, completely subjective and make the entire experience of commercial flight virtually unbearable.

"As a pilot with a nice airplane, I certainly have options most guys don't have. But as a pilot, I am very aware of some of the problems faced by the carriers. Those guys have incredible expenses, and are doing everything they can just to survive. Space on an aircraft is very valuable, and weight is very expensive (it takes more fuel to fly each additional pound; jet fuel is about $5.00/gallon). A single elk rack will take up lots of space, space that could be sold to higher bidders than hunters. These are the same guys who pay thousands to go on the hunt, buy a new gun each time they go, then cry about having to pay for the space and weight in the cargo hold of the commercial airliner. Size and weight are real issues with financial consequences for the airline.

"Hunting big game in faraway places is an expensive gig. If you shoot a big rack, good for you. Have an expediter ship your trophy home for you and brag to your buddies about how much you had to pay to get your monster rack shipped.

"If you want to gripe about the airlines, then gripe about how some of them refuse to let you bring your guns. This is an issue with no basis other than some pin-head executives who don't like hunting."